Moving from Savannah, GA to Ontario, CA
Cross-country relocations like Savannah, GA β Ontario, CA cover 2384 mi and about 41h 43m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2384 mi Β· 41h 43m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Ontario is 11.8% higher than Savannah, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Ontario is 11.8% above Savannah β $326,509 vs $672,742 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Savannah | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 11.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Savannah (67.5Β°F) and Ontario (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 3.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.8% between Savannah and Ontario (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Ontario average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Ontario sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $56,782 in Savannah β a 45.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $326,509 in Savannah β a 106.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Ontario, CA from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 2384 mi and the route typically takes 41h 43m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Ontario more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 11.8% higher than Savannah (106.442 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA Β· Ontario, CA.